Paint Correction! What Is It and Why Do I Want It?
Paint correction is a process used to restore the appearance and condition of a vehicle’s paint. It involves the removal of imperfections such as swirl marks from car washes or improper wash techniques, scratches, oxidation, water spots, and other defects that can occur over time.
Paint correction is needed for several reasons:
1. Enhancing Appearance: Over time, a vehicle’s paintwork can develop imperfections that take away from its overall appearance. Paint correction restores the gloss, depth, and clarity of the paint, making it look richer and more vibrant; Brand New!
2. Removal of Swirl Marks and Scratches: Swirl marks, fine scratches, and other defects are commonly caused by quick washes that use brushes or noodles. These brushes store dirt and contaminants from previous cars and apply them to each vehicle over and over, grinding dirt into the vehicle; this along with the aggressiveness of the bristles will cause damage to the vehicle and in turn lead to a loss of clarity and gloss and ultimately clear coat failure. Another cause of swirl marks and scratches can be improper washing, drying, or polishing techniques. Paint correction eliminates or significantly reduces these imperfections, giving the paint a smooth and flawless finish.
3. Restoring etched or Oxidized Paint: Oxidation occurs when the paint is exposed to environmental elements like sunlight, pollutants, tree sap, bird droppings and moisture with no protection (i.e.: ceramic coating or sealant). It results in a dull, faded appearance and will eventually lead to clear coat failure and chipping/peeling of the paint. Paint correction can effectively remove the oxidized layer, revealing the fresh paint underneath. Not completely drying the vehicle can cause etching from water spots that will lead to clear coat failure. (chipping and peeling) The minerals in the hard water will bake into the surface and over time cause damage, taking away from the vehicle’s appearance and clarity.
4. Preserving Resale Value: A well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing vehicle tends to have a higher resale value. Paint correction helps refine the paintwork creating the best possible canvas for intentional maintenance programs and protection such as ceramic coatings, preventing further deterioration, and maintaining the vehicle’s value and making it more appealing.
5. Protection and Longevity: Paint correction can be followed by the application of protective coatings, such as ceramic coatings or sealants, which provide a barrier against future damage from UV rays, chemicals, bird droppings, tree sap, gravel dust and contaminants. (All the things that are causes for paint correction.) This enhances the longevity and durability of the paint and makes cleaning and maintenance easier and more cost effective.
Our Process:
The process starts with a thorough rinse down and foam bath to lift and remove any surface contaminants. After the foam bath we will decontaminate the paint using a combination of iron remover, clay bar and wax stripping soap during the hand wash process to get the surface completely bare and ready for correction. Once cleaned and decontaminated, we will do a thorough inspection of the vehicle to identify any defects that need addressing and conduct a paint depth test to see how much clear coat we have to work with to ensure a safe and effective correction is done.
The correction itself involves several stages depending on your desired level of clarity and defect removal. Our corrections are at least a 2-stage process of compounding and polishing. In this process we will spend time making sure that every stage is done completely and safely refined as much as possible by examining after every pass. We start by masking off the entire vehicle to prevent damage to any trim and eliminate buildup of product in the crevices of the vehicle.
Next, we make a test panel on the vehicle to find the best combination of product and pad in order to achieve the customers desired result. Just throwing a pad and polish at it may not achieve the desired result; manufacturers have different levels of hardness to their paint meaning they will respond differently to techniques. Some have softer paint that may correct easily but leave a haze that will need further steps. Some may be harder in thickness and require a more aggressive approach and if not done carefully can result in damaging the paint. In all, taking the time to treat each vehicle on a case-by-case basis allows us to be intentional in giving you the most effective and safest correction possible.
Paint Corrections aren’t procedures that are intended to be done multiple times on vehicles. Each car comes with a thickness of clear coat and this process removes layers of that clear coat in order to eliminate the defects. If not done properly or to aggressively there may not be enough clear coat left on the vehicle to withstand the elements and normal wear and tear. This is why applying protection like a ceramic coating is highly recommended to lock in that refined finish and shine.
After the correction process, we can apply your topper of choice, wax or sealant, or go straight to the best approach and lock in the correction with a ceramic coating. We offer lifespans from 2-10 years and all the System X paint coatings we use report to Carfax giving your insurance company documented proof of protection so they can cover you and selling power down the road.
Have questions about paint correction or want it done on your vehicle? Give us a call or book a consultation and we’ll create a game plan to get it looking its best.
